nuclear-news

USA sending huge concrete pumps to Fukushima nuclear plant

Massive pumps departing U.S. for Japan nuclear plant, By Vivian Kuo, April 8, 2011 Atlanta (CNN) –– Two of the world’s largest concrete pumps will depart the United States later this week as part of the effort to resolve the crisis at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, officials said.

Each pump weighs 190,000 pounds and has a boom reach of over 227 feet, and can pump water and concrete at massive rates. They will be loaded aboard enormous Russian cargo jets Friday.

The pumps’ manufacturer, Putzmeister, said in a release the devices are normally used to pour concrete for bridges and high-rise construction projects, but can offer pinpoint accuracy “to directly target hotspots within the reactors” and help with cooling.

There are only three such pumps in the world, said Putzmeister spokeswoman Mary Roberts……Massive pumps departing U.S. for Japan nuclear plant – CNN.com

April 8, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | - Fukushima 2011